[Arrowhead1952]

I noticed some of the replies to this were very negative, but if any of you have been thru Austin during rush hour, knows this bypass is needed.

Many people don't remember, but there was a railroad crossing on IH 35 way back when it opened. The tracks are still there, just south of Airport Blvd on what is now the access road. The Interstate was rebuilt to avoid traffic having to stop for trains.

[MarshallDillon]

Good point. I-130 is a new road and not a highway toll-road conversion. There are a lot of dynamics in the argument against HB3588.

[Deek]

I noticed some of the replies to this were very negative, but if any of you have been thru Austin during rush hour, knows this bypass is needed.

I agree with you Arrowhead, but this seems to be an emotional issue for many here.

I have two fundamental issues with the gas tax:

1 - The gas tax is socialism: It forces drivers in rural areas to finance the more expensive roads in rural areas.

2 - It is easily avoided. For example NAFTA truckers fuel in Mexico then Oklahoma (which has a lower gas tax), avoiding paying the gas tax in Texas.

I don't think there is a fairer way to pay for road usage than to charge a toll proportional to the cost of the road. I just don't understand the objections.

[MeekOneGOP]

I don't hardly ever get down to Austin or San Antonio, but late January this year I drove my SIL's son down to San Antonio from here in the Dallas area.

We drove down there on a Friday evening because he had an interview at a University to apply for acceptance for his Master's degree there. His interview was Saturday morning and when it was over, we headed back to Dallas around noon.

When we got to Austin, I-35 was backed up. Traffic was STOPPED. And this was a SATURDAY, not during the week. That blew me away. I knew for sure there must have been an accident or something, but we never saw anything causing the problem. What a P.I.T.A. !!!